Storage and dispensing apparatus for swimming pool vacuum hose

ABSTRACT

A portable or stationary apparatus incorporating a reel for storage of the swimming pool vacuum hose and a means for submerging the hose as it is unwound into the pool, assuring thereby the filling of the hose with water coincident with its being dispensed into the pool. The evacuation of air from the hose permits the immediate connection of the hose to the vacuum pump without causing the pump to lose its prime.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The most difficult and time consuming operation in the routinemaintenance of a home swimming pool is the vacuum cleaning procedure andespecially that part of the procedure involving the handling of thevacuum hose.

Once or twice a week depending on the season of year and weatherconditions, it becomes necessary to remove excessive accumulations ofdirt, leaves, etc., which have blown into the pool and settled to thebottom. For this purpose, nearly every pool owner has a vacuum hose anda pick-up head. The hose connects the pick-up head to the intake line ofthe pool filtration pump at the skimmer, and the pick-up head isattached to the end of a long pole which serves as a handle. Theoperator moves the pick-up head over the floor of the pool and the dirtis picked up, carried by the water through the hose and discharged towaste or retained by the pool filter. Leaves and bugs are caught by ascreen ahead of the filter and may be removed.

A particularly difficult part of the vacuuming procedure which consumesa very significant part of the total time involved in the operation isthe handling of the vacuum hose. For a family-size pool the hose may beforty or more feet long. It is made of plastic, has a diameter ofapproximately two inches and has stiffening ribs spaced at half-inchintervals along its length which enhance its ability to support thereduced internal pressure associated with the pump vacuum. The hose isrelatively inflexible and difficult to handle and it gets tangledeasily. It is also difficult to coil and uncoil for storage and use. Inaddition, it is necessary to remove the air from inside the hose byfilling it with water before it is connected to the pump so that theprime of the pump will not be lost. Such an occurrence can result indamage or excessive wear to the pump.

In the usual method for clearing air from the hose, the operator throwsthe hose into the pool, attaches one end to the pick-up head, and then,beginning at the same end and working along the length of the hose, hepushes the normally floating hose under the surface, causing it to fillwith water. A pool brush attached to a pole is often used as a tool.This method is time consuming and not always totally effective so thatair pockets may remain. The pockets of air momentarily causeinterruptions in the prime of the pump during the initial periodfollowing connectionof the hose to the pump inlet.

After the vacuum operation has been completed, the hose is removed fromthe pool, drained of water and, in the more ordered households, it ishung up on pegs affixed to a fence or to the side of a building. Again,because the hose is so unwieldy, this is a difficult, awkward and timeconsuming procedure. Furthermore, the handling of the hose as it twists,turns and tangles is detrimental to the hose itself and causes itsuseful life to be significantly shortened.

For these reasons a better means is needed for handling the vacuum hoseincluding means for storing the hose, for dispensing it into the pooland for removing the air prior to making connection to the pump.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention claimed, a storage and dispensingapparatus is provided for a swimming pool vacuum hose, the chief purposeof the apparatus being a simplification of the procedures and areduction in the time involved in the vacuum cleaning of a swimmingpool.

It is therefore one object of this invention to provide an apparatus forconveniently storing, dispensing and handling a swimming pool vacuumhose.

Another object of this invention is to provide such an apparatus in aform which prevents the hose from becoming twisted or tangled during thestorage or dispensing operations.

A further object of this invention is to provide in such an apparatus ameans for submerging the hose and causing it to be filled with water asit is dispensed into the swimming pool for use.

A still further object of this invention is to provide such an apparatusin a mobile or in a stationary form.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in the mobileform of the apparatus means for causing the apparatus to remain inposition during the dispensing of the hose.

A still further object of this invention is to provide through theconvenience inherent in the use of the apparatus a significant reductionin the total time involved in the vacuum cleaning operation.

A still further object of this invention is to assure through the use ofthe apparatus a reduction in the mechanical stress applied to the hoseduring its handling so that a longer useful life for the hose will berealized.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide such an apparatus ina simple, lightweight and inexpensive form.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe following description proceeds and the features of novelty whichcharacterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity inthe claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The present invention may be more readily described by reference to theaccompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vacuum hose storage and dispensingapparatus of the invention in a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatus employedfor securing the end of the hose, the view being taken along the line2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus as seen during the dispensing ofthe hose from the apparatus into the swimming pool;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the vacuum hose storage and dispensingapparatus of the invention in a second embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a deflector which is provided as analternate means for submerging the hose as it is dispensed from theapparatus;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the deflector of FIG. 5 as seenalong line 6--6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the vacuum hose storage and dispensingapparatus of the invention in a third embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 7as seen along line 8--8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the vacuum hose storage and dispensingapparatus of the invention in a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG.9 as seen along line 10--10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of FIGS.9 and 10 as seen along line 11--11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a first side view of the vacuum hose storage and dispensingapparatus of the invention in a fifth embodiment; and

FIG. 13 is a second side view of the apparatus of FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring more particularly to the drawing by characters of reference,FIGS. 1-3 disclose the vacuum hose storage and dispensing device orapparatus 10 of the invention. The apparatus 10 comprises a frame 11, areel 12, a swinging arm 13, a submerging roller 14, and wheels 15.

The frame 11 has a horizontal rectangular base 16, having a lengthapproximately three times its width. Attached to the longer two edges ofthe base 16 are two vertical side plates 17 and 18. The side platesapproximate upright isosceles triangles. Joining the top ends of the twoside plates 17 and 18 is a slotted cross-member 19 which stiffens theframe 11 and serves as a handle for moving the apparatus 10.

The reel 12 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 comprises two parallelcoaxial circular side members 21 and 22 joined by a number of transverserods 23. The rods 23 are uniformly spaced about the circumference of acircle 24 which is centered relative to the common axis of the sidemembers 21 and 22. The diameter of the circle 24 is approximatelyone-half the diameter of one of the side members 21 or 22. The ends ofthe rods 23 may be cemented or welded to the inner surfaces of the sidemembers 21 and 22. For enhanced rigidity and strength, their ends mayextend into blind holes provided in the inner surfaces of the sidemembers 21 and 22.

As an alternate construction, the rods 23 may be replaced by hollowpipes or tubes. Bolts or threaded studs passing through the pipes andthrough aligned holes in the side members 21 and 22 may then be utilizedto clamp the side members 21 and 22 against the opposite ends of thepipes to form a rigid structure for the reel 12.

A shaft 25 passed through the center of reel 12 and through centered,oppositely positioned holes in the plates 17 and 18 of frame 11 issecured by a nut 26. The shaft 25 serves as the rotational axis for thereel 12.

Attached to one of the rods 23 is a hose gripper 27. As shown mostclearly in FIGS. 1 and 2, the initial implementation of the gripper 27utilized a plastic bottle 28. The conical or cone-shaped configurationsuch as the neck of bottle 28 is appropriately dimensioned and taperedto fit inside the end of a vacuum hose 29 so that when the end of hose29 is thrust over the neck of bottle 28, a gripping action is realizedbetween the two parts. A machine screw 30 is passed through a hole inthe bottom of the plastic bottle 28 and edgewise through one of the rods23. In this case rod 23 is in the form of a hollow tube which is free torotate about its own axis so that a pivotal mounting is thereby affordedfor gripper 27. Because of the pivotal freedom of gripper 27, theattached hose is free to assume an unstressed position as it is woundonto reel 12 during a storage operation.

Wheels 15 are mounted at the ends of an axle 31 which passes through twoaligned holes located opposite each other in the lower rear corners ofplates 17 and 18 of frame 11. In the rest position of frame 11, as shownin FIGS. 1 and 3, the vertical position of axle 31 is just high enoughfrom surface 32, on which apparatus 10 rests, so that the outerdiameters of the wheels do not touch surface 32. Apparatus 10 is thusprevented from rolling or moving out of its rest position. As theapparatus 10 is tilted backward, however, wheels 15 come into contactwith surface 32 and support the weight of the apparatus 10 so that itmay be conveniently moved about.

The swinging arm 13 has a generally rectangular picture-frameconfiguration comprising two long parallel side members 34, joined at ornear their ends by two shorter transverse members 35A and 35B. Members34 are approximately equal in length to the diameter of reel 12, andmembers 35A and 35B are somewhat longer than the width of frame 11.Member 35A passes through two opposing aligned holes 36 and 37 locatednear the lower front corners of the side plates 17 and 18 of frame 11,and it forms therewith a pivotal mounting means for arm 13. Member 35Bserves as the axle for roller 14. Members 34 extend somewhat beyond thepoints at which member 35B is attached, and then bend outward at rightangles to form two guide bars, 38 and 39.

In the utilization of apparatus 10 during the vacuuming operation,apparatus 10 with the hose 29 wound on reel 12 is first moved intoposition at the edge of the swimming pool, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.The free end of hose 29 extends downward toward the pool from the top ofreel 12. After attaching the free end of hose 29 to the vacuum head andafter also attaching a pole or handle to the vacuum head, the operatorlowers the vacuum head to the bottom of the pool at the edge of the pooladjacent apparatus 10. As this is done a portion of hose 29 is unwoundfrom reel 12 and extends downwardly into water 40. The swinging arm 13is then pivoted forward in the direction 41 and the roller 14 comes torest against the upper surface of hose 29, the weight of the roller 14causing hose 29 to be submerged in water 40. The operator then againtakes up the handle attached to the vacuum head and drags the vacuumhead toward the opposite end of the pool while keeping the vacuum headsubmerged. As this is done, hose 29 unwinds from reel 12 which freelyrotates about its own axis 25. During the unwinding of hose 29, guidebars 38 and 39 keep the hose 29 in position under roller 14. Also duringthis time, water enters the vacuum head and flows into hose 29, fillingit to the point of submersion 42. The air 43 which is displaced duringthe filling with water of hose 29 is exhausted through air holes 44 inthe base of hose gripper 27. The weight of roller 14 all the while holdsthe unwinding portion of hose 29 under water causing the hose to besubmerged and filled with water as it is drawn off of reel 12. When thetotal length of the hose 29 has been drawn off reel 12, its end ispulled free from gripper 27 and is manually submerged beneath thesurface of the water to complete the filling of the hose and theevacuation of the last quantity of air. The end of the hose is thenthrust into the vacuum hose connection inside the pool skimmer inreadiness for the initiation of the vacuuming operation.

After the completion of the vacuuming operation, the end of hose 29 iswithdrawn from its connection at the skimmer and is again attached tothe hose gripper 27 in reel 12. The other end of the hose is thendisconnected from the vacuum head and the hose is rewound onto reel 12by rotating the reel in the direction opposite to that in which it hadrotated as the hose was unwound into the pool. In this manner hose 29 isrestored to its original position on reel 12. The arm 13 is then pivotedupward to the position shown in FIG. 1. Finally the operator grips theslotted cross-member 19, tilts the apparatus 10 in the direction 33until it is supported by wheels 15. He then moves the apparatus 10 withthe aid of wheels 15 to a convenient storage location.

While the apparatus 10 is being moved from one location to another thereis a tendency for the reel 12 to rotate about its axis with the resultthat the hose 29 may unwind from reel 12. To prevent this fromhappening, a brake member 45 may be attached to member 35A of arm 13 asshown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Member 45 may be a flexible plastic or rubberflap having one edge rigidly attached to member 35A, its free edgeextending therefrom in the direction of reel 12 when arm 13 is in thestored position of FIG. 1. In this position of arm 13 the free edge ofmember 45 is brought to bear against reel 12 or against hose 29 whenhose 29 is stored on reel 12. The pressure of member 45 against reel 12or against hose 29 prevents the rotation of reel 12 and the unwinding ofhose 29. When arm 13 is lowered to the dispensing position of FIG. 3,member 45 is rotated away from hose 29 and the braking action isreleased.

While the apparatus 10 is complete and totally functional relative toits intended use as shown in FIGS. 1-3, other means of construction willbe found which may prove to afford various advantages related toconvenience of use, reduced weight or cost.

One such variation as shown in FIG. 4, comprises a modified vacuum hosestorage and dispensing apparatus 50, again comprising a frame 51, a reel52, a swinging arm 53 and a roller 54. In this case the apparatus 50 hasno wheels and is intended to be carried from one location to another orpermanently located at the edge of the pool.

The reel 12 has a cylindrical core 55 instead of the transverse tubularmembers 23 employed in the construction of reel 12. Furthermore, theaxle 56 is attached at only one end in cantilever fashion to frame 51.The opposite end of the reel 52 is thus clear of the frame and is freeto be rotated by means of a handle 57 during the rewinding of hose 29.Instead of the guide bars 38 and 39 as the means for maintaining theposition of the hose 29 relative to the roller 54, circular end plates58 are provided at the ends of the roller 54, the diameters of theplates 58 being at least two hose diameters greater than the diameter ofthe roller 54.

The swinging arm 53 has only one long extending member 59 pivotallyattached at one end to the lower forward part of the frame 51,preferably by means of a perpendicularly extending rod 60 which passesthrough oppositely aligned holes in the vertical sides of the frame 51.

The frame 51 is of a lightweight construction to facilitate carrying ofthe apparatus 50. It comprises a channel-shaped base 61 and a verticalsupport arm 62 which extends upward from the center of one side of thebase 61. The axle 56 of reel 52 is attached just below the center ofsupport arm 62 and a carrying handle 63 is attached at the top of arm62.

With the exception that apparatus 50 is intended to be carried fromplace to place rather than being moved about on wheels, it functions ina manner identical to that described for apparatus 10.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an alternative to the use of a roller 14 or 54as the means for causing the hose 29 to be submerged as it is drawn offof reel 12 or 52 into the water. A curved concave or arcuate guide plate64 is shown attached to the end of the swinging arm 13'. The curvatureof plate 64 and its angle of attachment to the horizontal end member 35'of the arm 13' conforms to the curvature of the hose 29 as it is drawninto the pool. Perpendicularly extending flanges 65 at both sides of theplate 64 keep hose 29 centered under plate 64.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a hose storage and dispensing apparatus 70which is identical to the apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1-3 except that itutilizes a sliding arm 71 instead of the swinging arm 13 of FIGS. 1 and2 to support the submerging roller 14.

The sliding arm 71 has the form of a long flat strip. It is slideablyattached to one side of frame 11 by means of two capped pins 72 and 73,the bodies of which pass through a centered longitudinal slot 74 in arm71. Pins 72 and 73 are aligned at an inclination relative to thehorizontal so that arm 71 is appropriately directed outward and downwardtoward the water 40 when the apparatus 70 is positioned at the edge ofthe pool as shown in FIG. 7.

At the outer end of arm 71 the roller 14 is attached to arm 71 by meansof a perpendicularly extending axle 75. The axle 75 is preferablyrigidly mounted at one end to arm 71. The roller 14 rotates on axle 75.At the end of axle 75 opposite its attachment to arm 71 a retainingplate 76 is provided. Plate 76 holds roller 14 on axle 75 and it alsoprevents the hose 29 from slipping off roller 14 during the dispensingoperation.

At the upper end of arm 71 a grip 77 is provided which is useful for thewithdrawal of arm 71 from its extended position. In the implementationshown, grip 77 is simply a tab formed by a perpendicular bend at the endof arm 71. By taking hold of grip 77, the operator may readily move thearm 71 between the dispensing position shown in solid lines and thewithdrawn or storage position shown by the broken line image 78 in FIG.7.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate a storage and dispensing apparatus 80 which isanother variation of the apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1-3 and which is evenmore closely similar to the apparatus 70 of FIGS. 7 and 8. The apparatus80 differs from the apparatus 70 only in the construction of the armwhich carries the submerging roller 14. Apparatus 80 utilizes atelescoping arm 81 having a substantially square cross-section as mightbe fabricated from bar stock or from a tubular material of square orrectangular form. Arm 81 passes through a long collar 82 having aninternal longitudinal opening which mates with the outer contour of arm71 (as shown in FIG. 11) with sufficient clearance to permit alongitudinal sliding action between the mating parts while preventingrelative rotational motion. Collar 82 is attached to one side of frame11, again at an inclined angle directed toward the water 40. The roller14 is mounted to the lower end of arm 81 in a manner identical to themounting described for arm 71 of FIGS. 7 and 8. A grip 77 is againprovided for moving the arm 81 between the storage and dispensingpositions.

The storage and dispensing apparatus 90 of FIGS. 12 and 13 represents asomewhat more radical departure from the construction of the apparatus10. The apparatus 90 utilizes a fixed arm 91 which is rigidly attachedto the frame 92. The frame 92 again carries the reel 12 rotatablymounted from a shaft 25. In the position of the apparatus 90 at the edgeof the pool deck 93 as shown in FIG. 12, the arm 91 extends horizontallypast the edge of the pool and then bends downward toward the water. Atthe lower termination of arm 91 the submerging roller 14 is rotatablymounted as in the case of the embodiments of the invention alreadydescribed. The roller 14 again causes the hose 29 to be deflectedbeneath the surface of the water 40 as it is drawn off the reel 12during the dispensing operation. When the hose 29 has been restored toits postion on reel 12 the apparatus 90 is simply withdrawn from thepool as shown in FIG. 13. The roller 14 then serves as a wheel incooperation with additional wheels 95 mounted at the rear of frame 92,the wheels thus provide facilitating the moving of the apparatus 90 fromone position to another. A handle 96 attached to the frame 92 may alsobe provided as an aid in moving the apparatus 90.

A practical and effective apparatus is thus provided for use in thestorage and dispensing of a swimming pool vacuum hose. The apparatus asherein described meets the stated objects of the invention, and althoughbut a few embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variouschanges and modifications may be made therein without departing from thespirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A swimming pool vacuum hose storage anddispensing device comprising:a frame, a reel rotatably mounted on saidframe for storage and dispensing of a vacuum hose coiled therearound, ahose submerging means mounted on said frame, said submerging means beingmovable to a hose dispensing position where a part of said submergingmeans is positioned below said frame and in the water of a pool whensaid device is positioned poolside, and hose guiding means positioned onsaid part for guiding and submerging the hose in the water of the poolwhen dispensed from said reel, said submerging means comprising at leastone arm member pivotally mounted at one end on said frame with its freeend being rotatably movable to said hose dispensing position, and saidguiding means comprising a roller mounted on said free end for guidingand submerging the hose when it is passed under said roller during ahose dispensing operation of the device.
 2. The swimming pool vacuumhose storage and dispensing device set forth in claim 1 in furthercombination witha gripper mounted on said reel for holding one end ofthe hose as it is coiled aroung the reel.
 3. The swimming pool vacuumhose storage and dispensing device set forth in claim 2 wherein:saidgripper comprises a conical shaped configuration receiving at its neckeddown end around its outer surface one end of the hose, the hollowinterior of said configuration being open to atmosphere at its other endfor providing a source of air to the interior of the hose as it is beingwarpped around said reel and for providing a path for the escape of airfrom the interior of the hose as it is dispensed into the water.
 4. Theswimming pool vacuum hose storage device set forth in claim 3wherein:said gripper is pivotally mounted on said reel.
 5. The swimmingpool vacuum hose storage and dispensing device set forth in claim 1 infurther combination with:handle means attached to said reel for rotatingsaid reel to wind up and dispense the vacuum hose therefrom.
 6. Theswimming pool vacuum hose storage and dispensing device set forth inclaim 1 in further combination with:at least one pair of wheelsjournaled on said frame for moving the device to and from poolside. 7.The swimming pool vacuum hose storage and dispensing device of claim 6wherein:said wheels are mounted to said frame in a manner which causessaid wheels to leave the surface on which said device is resting whilenot being moved about on said wheels, whereby the loss of contactbetween said wheels and said surface promotes the stability of saiddevice during a hose dispensing operation of the device.
 8. A swimmingpool vacuum hose storage and dispensing device comprising:a frame, areel rotatably mounted on said frame for storage and dispensing of avacuum hose coiled therearound, a hose submerging means mounted on saidframe, said submerging means being movable to a hose dispensing positionwhere a part of said submerging means is positioned below said frame andin the water of a pool when said device is positioned poolside, and hoseguiding means positioned on said part for guiding and submeging the hosein the water of the pool when dispensed from said reel.
 9. A swimmingpool vacuum hose storage and dispensing device comprising:a frame, areel rotatably mounted on said frame for storage and dispensing of avacuum hose coiled therearound, a hose submerging means mounted on saidframe, said submerging means being movable to a hose dispensing positionwhere a part of said submerging means is positioned below said frame andin the water of a pool when said device is positioned poolside, and hoseguiding means positioned on said part for guiding and submerging thehose in the water of the pool when dispensed from said reel, saidsubmerging means comprising at least one arm member pivotally mounted atone end on said frame with its free end being rotatably movable to saidhose dispensing position, and said guiding means comprising a concaveguiding plate mounted on said free end for guiding the hose when it ispassed around said guiding means to submerge the hose and hold itsubmerged when the hose is being dispensed from the device.
 10. Theswimming pool vacuum hose storage and dispensing device set forth inclaim 9 in further combination with:a gripper mounted on said reel forholding one end of the hose as it is coiled around the reel.
 11. Theswimming pool vacuum hose storage and dispensing device set forth inclaim 10 wherein:said gripper comprises a conical shaped configurationreceiving at its necked down end around its outer surface one end of thehose, the hollow interior of said configuration being open to atmosphereat its other end for providing a source of air to the interior of thehose as it is being wrapped around said reel and for providing a pathfor the escape of air from the interior of the hose as it is dispensedinto the water.
 12. The swimming pool vacuum hose storage and dispensingdevice set forth in claim 9 in further combination with:handle meansattached to said reel for rotating said reel to wind up and dispense thevacuum hose therefrom.
 13. A swimming pool vacuum hose storage anddispensing device comprising:a frame, a reel rotatably mounted on saidframe for storage and dispensing of a vacuum hose coiled therearound, ahose submerging means mounted on said frame, said submerging means beingmovable to a hose dispensing position where a part of said submergingmeans is positioned below said frame and in the water of a pool whensaid device is positioned poolside, and hose guiding means positioned onsaid part for guiding and submerging the hose in the water of the poolwhen dispensed from said reel, said submerging means comprising at leastone arm rigidly mounted at one end of said frame with its free endextending therefrom in a direction which permits it to reach said hosedispensing position when said device is positioned poolside, saidguiding means comprising a roller mounted on said free end for guidingand submerging the hose when it is passed under said roller during ahose dispensing operation of the device, and said guiding means servingalso as a wheel for facilitating the moving of said device from oneplace to another.
 14. A swimming pool vacuum hose storage and dispensingdevice comprising:a frame, a reel rotatably mounted on said frame forstorage and dispensing of a vacuum hose coiled therearound, a hosesubmerging means mounted on said frame, said submerging means beingmovable to a hose dispensing position where a part of said submergingmeans is positioned below said frame and in the water of a pool whensaid device is positioned poolside, hose guiding means positioned onsaid part for guiding and submerging the hose in the water of the poolwhen dispensed from said reel, and a braking member mounted on saidsubmerging means for inhibiting the rotation of said reel and theloosening of said hose on said reel while said device is being movedfrom one place to another, said braking member being moved to a brakingposition when said submerging means is moved to a storage position, andsaid braking means being moved to a free or non-braking position whensaid submerging means is moved to a dispensing position.